Footwear



March 10, 1936. w s WlLsON 2,033,313

FOOTWEAR Filed sept. 24, i954 Iatented Mar. l0, 1936 UNITED STATES PATET GFFIC 10 Claims.

This invention relates to foot Wear, and more particularly is directed to cushioning structures adapted to be attached to the undersurfaces of any ordinary type of shoe.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision of a sole or heel member of such construction as to produce a cushioning effect when applied to the sole or heel of a regular shoe, and which is capable of retaining its resiliency and cushioning properties throughout the normal life of the member.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, I provide a sole or heel member having a tread portion or. surface, and having air conlined between said tread portion and the upper surface of said. member which engages the under surface of the sole or heel of the shoe. In addition, I provide intermediate lresilient supporting and reinforcing columns between the surfaces, which columns are compressible Linder the weight -of the foot when walking, to absorb shocks and to cushion the steps so as to relieve the -foot of the pounding eect produced when walking on a hard pavement or the like with shoes of the ordinary type.

Another object attained by the present invention is the provision of means for securely attaching the sole and heel members to shoes of various sizes and for maintaining a relatively tight engagement therebetween, preventing possibility of displacement of the cushioning device from the shoe during walking.

'I'he construction of the heel member of the present invention is distinctly advantageous in that I provide means for reinforcing the periphi eral portion of the heel member without in any way sacrificing the resilient cushioning characteristics thereof. I also provide means for independently securing either the sole or heel member to the shoe in permanent position, whereby the use of auxiliary attaching means or the like is eliminated.

The sole and heel members of the present invention are preferably formed of rubber, with the supporting and reinforcing columns formed integrally therewith, or separately vulcanized thereto. Preferably, though not necessarily, cover pads of rubber construction are vulcanized over the supporting and reinforcing means and about the peripheral flanges of each of the meinbers, confining air within the members for producing a further cushioning effect.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description, which, taken in con- (Cl. Sii-7.5)

junction with the accompanying drawing, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and operation of a preferred embodiment of my invention..

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective View, with a portion thereof broken away, of a sole and heel cushioning device embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the sole 10` member, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 2, but illustrating a modified type of construction; y

Figure 4 is a top vplan View of a heel member such as shown in Figure l, with the cover pad removed to show the interior construction thereof; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially 20 on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawing in detail, I have indicated a sole member I0, having a plurality of tab members I2 extending laterally outwardlr therefrom, the tab members I2 being provided 25 with perforations adapted to receive the strings I3 looped therethrough, these strings being gathered at a central button member I4, and serving as attaching means for fitting over the toe portion of a shoe to secure the sole member 30 I thereto. The sole member I0 is preferably provided with a cover pad I5, which, in Fig. 1, is illustrated as partly broken away adjacent one corner of the sole member to show the interiorconstruction of the sole. The member I is pref- 35 erably vulcanized tothe flange portion and tabs of the members III, and serves tol confine air therein.

The main body portion of the sole member III is substantially cup-shaped, having the flanged 40 side walls I6, and being provided with a plurality of supporting columns II, the outer row l of supporting columns being integrally joined to the side walls I6 as indicated at I8.

Each of the columns I'I in this embodiment of 45 the invention, is substantially cylindrical in form, and is interiorly recessed, as indicated at I9, to provide flanged lip portions at the top and bottom thereof, these lip portions extending inwardly toward the center of the columns and overhanging the recesses I9 formed in the columns. It will thus be noted that the columns` have their thinnest wall section adjacent the central portion thereof, whereby compression of the columns results in bulging of the walls thereof adjacent the central portion, and, due to the fact that the cover member I5 is vulcanized over the upper surface thereof, the air within the recesses I9 is compressed, providing a cushioning medium for cushioning the Weight of the foot as a step is being taken.

Because of the resilient nature of the material from which the columns are formed, they assume their normal position immediately upon release of pressure thereon, and thus a deformable cushioning surface or body is provided beneath the sole of the shoe.

It will be noted that tangential contacting portions of the outer row of columns Il are integrally joined together, as indicated at 22. Additional air spaces 23 are provided intermediate the columns I'I, whereby the interior portion of the sole member I0 becomes, in effect, an air cushion having resilient supporting means for restoring it to normal position after compression.

In Figure 3 I have shown a slightly modified construction, in which the columns 25 are all 'provided with uniform central openings, and the exterior walls of the columns are outwardly flanged, as indicated at 26, to provide supporting llanges whereby the thinnest wall section is disposed intermediate the top and bottom of the columns, providing for deformation of the col*- umns at this point under pressure. These fianged surfaces are integrally joined to the side wall I6' of the sole member I0 for reinforcing purposes, and the tangential portions of the outer ring of columns 25 are also integrally joined or vulcanized to each other.

The side walls I6 of the sole member IIJ' of this embodiment are provided with an integral relatively thin continuous flange portion 28 extending thereabove, which flange portion is adapted to extend about and frictionally grip the lateral periphery of the sole of the shoe, and preferably is adapted to receive suitable cementing means upon the interior surface thereof for cementing the flange 28 to the lateral periphery of the sole, whereby the member I0' may be secured in fixed position beneath the sole without the use of the attaching means I3 and I4 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the heel member 30 shown in Figure 1, this member is provided with an upwardly extending flange or tab portion 32 projecting upwardly from the periphery of a major portion of the perimeter of the heel member, and the flange 32 is'provided, at spaced interval along its outer surface, with loop portions 33 adapted to receive a resilient strap member or loop 34 therein, the loop 34 having relative sliding movement through the loop members 33, and having its ends gathered together within a slidable resilient collar 35, the free ends of the loop member 34 passing through the collar 35 and being tied in, lateral vertical slits formed in the rear of the sole member I0 from the wear surface upwardly through the top surface, the extending ends being secured as indicated at 31. Thus the position of the heel member rearwardly of the sole member III may be adjustably determined, in accordance with the size of the shoe to which the device is to be applied.

The heel member 38 is shown as being covered with a pad corresponding to thepad l5 of Figures 1 and 2, although this is optional.

In Figure 4 I have disclosed a heel member which may be separately attached to the heel of a shoe and fixed in a relatively permanent position with respect the reto. This heel member,

indicated generally at 40, is shown without the pad covering member, which may or may not be employed as desired. If the heel 40 is to be secured directly to the undersurface of the heel of a shoe, it is apparent that the surface of the heel of the shoe will be sufficient to close the upper portion of the heel member 40, thereby conlining air therein for cushioning purposes.

The heel member 40 is provided with a peripheral flange portion 42 extending completely around the perimeter of the heel member, which flange 42 corresponds generally to the flange 28 of Figure 3, and is adapted to frictionally engage the lateral surface of the heel of the shoe, and to be cemented thereto by means of any suitable cementing material. The outer wall of the heel member, indicated at 43, is strengthened by means of a plurality of integrally formed resilient rib members 44 extending from the outer wall to an inner circular wall 45 spaced from the outer Wall by means of the rib members. These rib members are relatively thin web members extending between the flanges 43 and 45, and define air pockets therebetween. They are compressible and therefore do not destroy any of the cushioning characteristics of the heel member, while at the same time being resilient enough to restore the heel member to its normal position upon release of the compression thereon. Secured to the inner surface of the flange 45, and spaced thereabout are a plurality of cylindrical column members 45, corresponding'to the columns I1 of Figures 1 and 2, which are inwardly flanged as indicated at 41, to provide a. relatively large surface area on the upper surface of the column which may be cemented to the pad member, such as the pad member or cover member 48 as shown in Figure 5, or may be cemented to the undersurfaoe of a heel, affording a relatively large area for this purpose. The outer rings of columns 46 are either formed integrally with the wall 45, or cemented thereto for maintaining them in proper position with respect to the wall, and for reinforcing purposes. In addition, these columns 46, as indicated in Figure 4, are integrally joined adjacent their tangential contacting surfaces, as shown at 49.

Disposed centrally in the heel member 40 is a relatively large circular column 5D, having the inwardly extending flange portion 52, and concentrically disposed with respect to an inner column 53 which has oppositely flanged upper and lower surfaces, as indicated at 54. These supporting columns, together with the air confined in the heel member 40, serve to cushion the jar or im- I pact of the heel with respect to a hard surface. and are compressible under the pressure of the foot, to lessen this shock. Upon release of the foot pressure, the inherent resiliency of the columns restores them to normal position, thereby conditioning the heel cushioning member 40 for further compression.

The relative thicknesses of the wall or flange 45, columns 46, column and column 53 are such as to decrease in the order named, whereby pressure applied to any portion of the heel surface is transmitted toward the central portion thereof, which is the portion of minimum stiffness, and consequently there is no twisting or sliding tendency imposed upon the heel member due to non-uniform compression thereof, since the unequal stresses are all absorbed by the more flexible central portion. This is due to the fact that the thicker outer members are more resistant to deflection than the thinner members, and

pressure applied to the outer members will produce a lateral component toward the center of the heel, due to the distortion.' Thus in walking, the outer members engage the ground first, and begin to yield under compression, and transmit a portion of the compressive stress resulting from this distortion to the thinner and more readily compressed central portion of the heel, so that the compression of the outer members will serve to simultaneously produce a proportionate compression of the central members, hence producing a substantially equalized compressionA throughout the heel.

Also, by beveling the edges of the undersurface of the heel member, as indicated at 5S, any angular pressure will be effectively transmitted toward the central portion of the heel, where the maximum compressibility under pressure is provided due to increased flexibility of the central portion.

These beveled edges result in a greater lateral component of stress upon Walking and tend to produce compression of the rubber inwardly of the point at which pressure is applied.

It is thus apparent that I have provided a cushioning structure for both the sole and heel of a shoe, which is capable of absorbing shocks and pounding caused by walking upon hard pavements or the like, and which may be separately or jointly attached to any size of shoe.

Having described my invention in accordance with the statutes, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In cushioning structure of the class de,- scribed, a resilient substantially planar member having integral vertically extending walls defining the peripheral limits thereof, a ring of resilient cylindrical columns joined to the inner surface of said walls and extending upwardly from the inner surface of the planar member, said columns being hollow and being provided with overhanging flange portions, a plurality of independent corresponding columns disposed within said ring of columns, and integral flange means for securing said structure beneath the corresponding portion of a shoe.

2. A heel cushioning member for a shoe heel comprising a rubber tread portion having a peripheral upwardly extending wall portion and having an inwardly extending flange at the upper end thereof, an inner Wall spaced from said peripheral wall, integral reinforcing webs between said walls, and vertically extending cylindrical cushioning columns disposed within said inner wall and having compressible air chambers formed therein, said columns being provided with integral radial flanges at their upper ends adapted to engage the bottom surface of said heel.

3. In a resilient cushioning structure of the class described, a cushioning member comprising a vertically extending tubular member having the portion intermediate its ends of relatively thin section and having its end portions provided with radially inwardly extending flange portions, one of said radial flanges being sealed to a carrying member which is to be cushioned, the flange on the oppostie end of said member being inwardly directed and acting to close the member at said end to provide with the carrying member a sealed air chamber within said tubular member, said last-mentioned end being adapted to engage a surface against which said carrying member is to be cushioned, the flanged portion sealed to said carrying member being subject to pressure caused by compression of the air in said chamber for forcing the said flange portionv in a direction normal to the plane of said carrying member to produce greater sealing engagement with the surface of said carrying member during compression.

4. 'I'he combination with a cushioning structure adapted to depend from the normal wear surface of a shoe, of a cushioning member extending normal to said surface and having a hollow interior and being provided with radially flanged end portions, the internal diameter of said member decreasing from the center portion thereof toward each'end thereof, one end portion of said member being adapted to be sealed against said wear surface to close said end of said member, and the opposite end of said member being closed to provide a greater walking contact surface, the intermediate wall portion of said member providing for compression and expansion of said member normal to said surfaces.

5. In a cushioning structure for the under surface of a shoe, a plurality of tubular members having corresponding radially flanged end portions adapted to be cemented to said surface, and means at the opposite corresponding ends of said members closing said ends and adapted to engage the surface to be walked on, said members having relatively thin walls intermediate their ends to accommodate flexing of said members under compression, the flanges of said members extending inwardly of said members whereby the increase of pressure caused by compression thereof increases the pressure engagement between said under surface and the flange portions of said members. i

6. In combination, a shoe having an under surface, a plurality of tubular members having corresponding inwardly extending radially flanged end portions engaging said surface, and means at the opposite corresponding ends of said members closing said ends and adapted to engage the surface to be walked on, each of said members having a relatively thin wall intermediate its ends to accommodate flexing of said members under compression, said radially fianged end portions being sealed to said under surface to prevent escape of air therefrom during said compressio-n.

'7. Cushoning means adapted to be supported on the normal ground-engaging surface o-f a shoe comprising a plurality of normally extending hollow members each adapted to be cemented at one end to a portion of said surface and having inwardly extending corresponding radially flanged portions at said end to provide an enlarged cementing surface, each of the opposite corresponding ends of said members being thickened to provide an increased Wear surface on each of said members.

8. A cushioning member for cushioning structures of the class described comprising a resilient hollow body member having lateral defining walls, the opposite ends of said body member having normally extending flanges adapted to define, with the two surfaces between which said cushioning member is compressed, a closed air chamber capable of having its lateral walls flexed outwardly to accommodate said compression, said flanges .extending radially inwardly of said member whereby increase in pressure serves to press said flanges against said surfaces tending to seal the interior of said member against escape of air during compression.

9. A cushioning member for a shoe, said member being formed of resilient material and having a hollow interior, a lateral wall portion, a thickened closed lower end portion for engaging the surface to be Walked on, an inwardly extending tapered relatively thin radial ange at the upper end of said member, said member being subject to increase in pressure within said interior upon compression of said member to force said ange into increased pressure contact with the surface against which said member is supported on said shoe tending to prevent escape of air outwardly past this flange during said compression.

10. A cushioning member formed of resilient material and carried on the under surface of the sole of a shoe, comprising a hollow member having relatively thin walls intermediate its ends and having thickened radially anged walls adjacent the end portions thereof, the internal diameter of said member being greatest midway between its ends and decreasing toward each end thereof, the extending end of said member being closed and the opposite end of said member being sealed to said surface to provide a closed air chamber within said member, compression of said member causing outward bulging of the intermediate wall thereof and increased pressure against the 

